Picture-frame clamp.



Nn.`64a,52s. Patented May l, |900.

N. E. France.

PICTURE FRAME CLAMP.

(Application led Dec. 26, 1899 @M MM .ms

Ni'rnn STATES NORMAN E. PIERCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PICTURE-FRAME CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,523, dated May 1, 1900.

Application filed December 26,1899. Serial No. 741,658. (No model.)

To all whom it may cwcrn:

Be it known that I, NoRMAN E. PIERCE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented la new and useful Improvement in Retaining-Clamps for Picture- Frames, of which the following is a specification.

The present state of the art of retaining pictures in picture-frames presents great inconveniences. A back piece must be provided which is placed against the back of the picture and the two placed within the frame against the glass and held in place by smally nails or tacks driven into the inner edges of the frame. A great deal of trouble and annoyance are incurred in the driving and withdrawing of the retaining-nails. Further, a picture is placed within the frame and held in place by the hand until the small nails can be driven. When this is done, the picture is held as placed. Should it be warped or misshapen, there is no pressure to gradually force it into form.

The object of 1ny invention is to overcome these inconveniences.

I present by my invention a retaining-clamp which is readily and easily attached to the frame and as easily detached therefrom. I present a clamp which requires no back piece to prevent marring the picture. I present a device which is in effect a spring clamp and exerts a constant pressure on the picture retained with the viewof holding it constantly in shape. n

My invention is described particularly herein and illustrated by the annexed drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows my clamp attached to the picture-frame. Fig. 2 shows the manner of insertion of a picture when the clamp is in position. view of my clamp. Fig. et shows a variation. of my device.

My device consists of a wire peculiarly bent and secured to the sides of the frame. The wire is bent with the view of presenting certain parts on both sides of axis X X. The ends of the wire C C form the ends of the aXis of the device and are intended to fit into the inner edges of the frame D. This may be accomplished either by having small vice. Fig. 3 shows an edge.

sockets bored in such frame into which the ends C C may slip or by sharpening the ends C C and pressing them into the wooden edge of the frame wherever it is desirable.

Upon bending the wire to form my device I form on one-side of the axis X X the curved portion B and on the opposite side of such axis the parts A A.

The clamp is applied to the frame by compressing the wire with the hands and inserting the ends into the sockets above mentioned, or where the ends are sharpened by pressing such sharpened ends into the edge of the frame D.

The device is held in position when applied to the frame by the resilient property of the wire, which is essential to its successful operation.

For the purpose of inserting a picture the clamp need not be removed. The angles at A A and the curve at B give sufficient spring to the clamp to allow the picture to be inserted without removing the clamp. This operation is shown in Fig. 2.

In order that there may be a constant pressure on the picture while held in the frame, I bend my wire so that the parts A A and the part B lie indifferent planes as viewed from the edge. Fig. 3 shows this feature. This isan edge 'View of my clamp, showing the parts C C and A A in the same plane and the part B in a dierent one. Vith this construction by securing the device close against the picture with the protruding plane of B turned toward the picture the part B must exert a constant pressure upon the picture, holding it in position and restoring it to shape should it be warped when inserted.

In Fig. 4 I present a variation of my de- In particularly-large frames it may be desirable to provide for added substantiality in my device. I provide for this contingency a slot G iu the ends of frame, into which part B may be inserted. To insert or remove device in this form, I press the wire to the position shown hydot-ted lines in Fig. 4.

E represents the picture, and F the glass of the frame lying against the ordinary flan ges in front of the frame.

I prefer to construct my clamp of metal wire; but any hard resilient material may be IOO used. The parts B and A A may be formed in any sized angles or curves and may be of any desired number.

Ordinarily two of my clamps should be applied to afraine to properly retain the picture; but any number may be used which the necessities may seem to demand.

My device may also be used not only to retain pictures, but mirrors, calendars, cards,

blank forms, or any article which may ordinarily be placed in picture-frames.

What I claim as my 4invention is? l. The combination with a picture frame of a retaining-clamp consisting of a Wire inserted at its terminals within the inner edges ofiopposite sides of said frame, and so bent as to lie in close contact with the back of the picture held Within said frame, at a number ent planes and exert a constant pressure upon the back of the picture placed Within said frame, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

NORMAN E. PIERCE. Witnesses:

E. ECOLE, E. A. KIRKLAND. 

